A mother of five was fatally mauled by her own Rottweiler during a scuffle over chicken nuggets, an inquest in Essex has heard.
Michelle Hempstead, 34, from Southend, was eating McDonald’s with her partner, Samuel West, on the evening of July 29, 2024, when her two dogs – a Rottweiler-mastiff cross named Trigg and a Pomeranian called Pom – began fighting over a chicken nugget.
As Michelle stepped in, Trigg bit her on the upper left arm, causing a catastrophic injury that severed an artery. Neighbours reported hearing her cries of “my dog has attacked me” before she was rushed to Southend Hospital, and later transferred to the Royal London Hospital. Despite intensive treatment, she died the following day, on July 30.
At Essex Coroner’s Court, evidence revealed that Michelle and Samuel had been tossing chicken nuggets to the dogs when the smaller Pomeranian went for one meant for Trigg. In the chaos, Trigg snapped, and Michelle was caught by his bite. Samuel testified that he pulled Trigg away immediately but did not realise the extent of her injury at the time, calling the event a “freak accident.”
Michelle’s cause of death was recorded as multiple organ failure caused by blood loss from the dog bite. Police investigated but found no suspicious circumstances.
Her family described her as resilient, caring, and selfless, saying she gave what little she had to others, especially her children.
Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes ruled her death accidental, stating that Michelle had been “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He noted that Trigg, who was later put down, was “otherwise a gentle giant” with no history of aggression, and that the fatal bite had not been malicious.
“This tragic accident occurred when Michelle was caught between a brief fight over food between her two dogs,” the coroner concluded.
